A new flotilla heading for the Gaza Strip with food and medical supplies on board has been intercepted by Israeli forces.
The fleet, made up of nine vessels and 150 people, was stopped in international waters, according to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition and Thousand Madleens to Gaza which are jointly running the operation.
Another futile attempt to breach the legal naval blockade and enter a combat zone ended in nothing, Israel's foreign ministry stated.
Just a week prior, Israeli military forces halted a larger 42-boat aid convoy, detaining many pro-Palestinian activists, including prominent climate advocate Greta Thunberg.
Organizers of the recent flotilla claimed that three of its boats were intercepted early Wednesday morning, approximately 120 nautical miles from Gaza's coast. Soon after, a live tracker indicated that all nine vessels had been detained.
The Israeli government later confirmed that the vessels and passengers are transferred to an Israeli port, where all are reported to be safe and in good health. However, they are expected to be deported promptly.
Among the 150 passengers were individuals from various countries, including Turkey, whose foreign ministry condemned the interception as a grave violation of international law and labeled it an act of piracy.
This incident follows a surge in violence in the region, heightened after a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in significant casualties and escalated military responses. Reports indicate that over 67,000 individuals have died in Gaza since this escalation began, with malnutrition affecting thousands.
The United Nations-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification has confirmed a famine in Gaza City, warning it may worsen. Yet, Israel disputes these claims, asserting compliance with international law and maintaining that they facilitate aid into Gaza.
